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Curry Leaves Health Benefits

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Curry leaves are an excellent source of several vital nutrients, which are used in cooking. The leaves are loaded with benefits and ideally they should be consumed daily.

Curry leaves

TThe splattering of mustard seeds in hot oil with a fistful of curry leaves is a treat for our senses. The sound, the fragrance it emanates and the taste of this infusion in foods is unbelievable. This is simplicity in action. This is the magic of curry leaves – a simple leaf with amazing flavor and health benefits.

If you are perhaps thinking – ‘where can I buy curry leaves?’ – then fret not. The curry tree is widely grown in the Indian subcontinent. Curry tree is also grown in south-east Asia and Spain and some other countries.

Cures Dandruff

Curry Leaves Nutrition Facts

The nutritional values of curry leaves per 100 grams are:

  • Energy - 108.000 K cal
  • Carbohydrates - 18.700 gm
  • Moisture - 63.800 gm
  • Fiber - 6.400 gm
  • Protein - 6.100 gm
  • Minerals - 4.000 gm
  • Fat - 1.000 gm
  • Calcium - 830.000 mg
  • Phosphorus - 57.000 mg
  • Iron - 0.930 mg
  • Copper - 0.100 mg
  • Magnesium - 44.000 mg
  • Zinc - 0.200 mg
  • Manganese - 0.150 mg
  • Chromium - 0.006 mg
  • Thiamine - 0.080 mg
  • Carotene - 7560.000 µg
  • Riboflavin - 0.210 mg
  • Niacin - 2.300 mg
  • Vitamin C - 4.000 mg
  • Folic Acid (Free) - 23.500 µg
  • Folic Acid (Total) - 93.900 µg
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Curry Leaves Health Benefits

Consumption of curry leaves is beneficial for many medical conditions and in maintaining good health.

Curry leaves for hair

Curry leaves are excellent for source of nutrients for hair growth. Regular consumption of curry leaves strengthens hair, cures dandruff and prevents premature graying of hair.

Heart Benefits of Curry Leaves

Curry leaves for skin

Application of curry leaves helps in treating bruises and burns as well as rashes and insect bites. The high content of antioxidants and vitamin C also helps to keep the skin supple and young.

Curry leaves for liver

Eating curry leaves can keep your liver healthy. They are beneficial in liver conditions such as cirrhosis. Curry leaves also protects the liver from various infections.

Curry Leaves For Hair Growth

Curry leaves for eyes

Curry leaves are useful in eye problems such as cataract. Rich in vitamin A; curry leaves protect the eyes, keep the retina healthy and prevent vision loss.

Curry leaves for anemia

Curry leaves are an excellent source of iron and its consumption can help people who suffer from anemia. Another benefit of curry leaves in anemia is that they are also a good source of folic acid, which aids the body in absorbing iron. Without adequate folic acid in the body, the iron is excreted from the body without proper absorption.

Curry leaves for heart

Curry leaves help lower the levels of bad cholesterol in the body. Curry leaves aid in weight loss, which removes extra pressure from the heart. The antioxidants present in curry leaves are beneficial in keeping the heart healthy. Overall curry leaves can reduces the risk of heart disease. However, more investigation is needed.

Curry leaves for digestion

Health benefits of curry leaves for good digestion along with their aromatic flavor are the reasons for popularity of curry leaves usage in food.

Curry Leaves: Rich in Anti-oxidants

Antioxidants found in curry leaves can help shield your health by scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidative stress.

Curry Leaves: Antimicrobial

Curry leaf extract was found to inhibit the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, including Streptococcus pyogenes and Corynebacterium TB, in a test-tube investigation.

Curry Leaves: Benefits shown in Animal Studies

Many animal studies show benefits and could apply to human beings too. These studies are the first step for undertaking more research.

Curry Leaves: Protects the Nervoous System

Curry leaf extract may offer protection against neurological diseases including dementia and Alzheimer's disease, according to research on animals.

Curry Leaves: Anticancer Effects

Curry leaves may have potent anticancer effects, according to research conducted on animals and in test tubes. The antioxidants in curry leaves, such as girinimbine, quercetin, catechin, rutin, and gallic acid, are responsible for these strong anticancer benefits, according to researchers.

Curry Leaves: Regulate Blood Sugar

Curry leaf extract has been demonstrated in animal experiments to help lower elevated blood sugar levels and guard against diabetic symptoms like kidney damage and nerve pain.

Curry Leaves:Pain Relieving

In mouse experiments, curry extract given orally significantly reduces the discomfort that is produced.

Curry Leaves:Anti-inflammatory

Curry leaves include a number of anti-inflammatory compounds, and research on animals has shown that curry leaf extract can help reduce genes and proteins linked to inflammation.

Curry Leaves Recipes

Curry leaves can be used in food preparations to add flavor and to increase the nutritional value of a meal.

Coconut rice

Steam some white or brown rice and set aside to cool. Make sure rice is a bit tender than their usual texture when boiled. In a wok, heat some organic coconut oil and add some mustard seeds to it. Remove from heat when seeds begin to splatter. Then add chopped curry leaves, sesame seeds and green chilies. Grate some garlic into the mix and mix them together on medium heat. Add red chili powder, turmeric powder and salt to taste. Then add rice and fresh coconut. Mix well. Remove from heat. Add lemon juice and garnish with chopped coriander leaves, some curry leaf powder and more fresh coconut. Serve hot with fresh coconut chutney.

Spiced lentil

Wash and soak your choice of lentil for 20 minutes. In a deep pan add ghee, cumin seeds, 1 bay leaf, whole red chilies, whole coriander seeds, whole cardamom, few cloves and some black peppercorns. When the spices begin to splatter, remove from heat and add curry leaves. Then add ginger paste and cook for a minute. Now mix well red chili powder, turmeric powder, black pepper powder and salt to taste. Add lentils and bring to a boil. Cover with a lid and slow cook the lentils until ready to eat. Serve topped with ghee and finely chopped coriander leaves and curry leaves.

Kidney bean salad

Wash and soak kidney beans overnight or for at least a few hours. Cook them with salt and a bay leaf until ready to eat. Make a seasoning using coconut oil and mustard seeds and some curry leaves. Add this to the beans. Now add chopped onion, chopped tomato, and slices of red, green and yellow peppers, some jalapeno and finely chopped curry leaves. Mix well. Squeeze in some lemon juice and sprinkle some salt and black pepper powder to taste. Add some curry leaf powder and fresh coconut. The salad is ready to eat. You can also eat this warm by lightly sautéing all ingredients together.

Handy ways to use curry leaves in meals

  • Make curry leaf powder to last you for at least 2 weeks. Wash and dry curry leaves and let their water content completely reduce by drying them in the sun or keeping them in the refrigerator for a few days. Then grind and store in an airtight container. Use this to instantly spice your buttermilk, yogurt, salads and curries.
  • Always add in a few curry leaves to your lentil and rice dishes to increase the consumption of this healthy food.
  • Use curry leaves when you make your chutneys. They go well with coconut, coriander and mint.
  • Grow a curry tree in your garden for easy availability of fresh curry leaves for every meal.
  • Chew a few curry leaves every morning to improve digestive health and to lose weight.

Some beauty recipes

  • Grind curry leaves to a paste and mix with turmeric and yogurt. Apply on skin for relief from rashes, irritations and to improve skin texture.
  • Add some curry leaves to coconut oil and apply on hair. Regular application will improve the quality of your hair.
  • Apply a paste of curry leaves mix with lemon juice for strengthening hair roots.

Latest Publications and Research on Curry Leaves Health Benefits

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